As we rapidly move towards the middle of the month, the weather continues to create some issues. While we had a forecast of snow for our region, it missed us, although other parts of the UK were hit. During the week, we had wind gusts exceeding fifty-five MPH, but fortunately, there didn’t appear to be must damage. At the moment, there’s a light rain, which is expected to be around most of the day.
The price of gasoline (petrol) and diesel both edged upward this week, with gasoline adding two pence a liter to £1.39 and diesel increased by another penny to £1.47. As a result, and with the current exchange rate between the pound and the dollar, an equivalent U.S. gallon of gasoline is now $6.61, an increase of seven cents, while diesel topped out at $6.99, climbing four cents.
Last weekend’s small business market was a quiet event, but the mall was devoid of the normal weekend traffic. Even so, we did okay. I sold thirteen autographed novels, while Sylvia sold fourteen laminated poetry sheets, eleven bookmarks, and one poetry book. The next market will be held the beginning of March, and we hope to see more shoppers browsing the stalls.
“When all else fails, write what your heart tells you. You can’t depend on your eyes, when your imagination is out of focus.” – Mark Twain. Compliments of https://press.barnesandnoble.com/bnpress-blog/inspirational-quotes-writing/.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on February 11, the second Sunday of the month. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
John Wtenbogaert, Dutch theologist (Kerckelicke history); Honoré d’Urfé, French writer; Bernard Le Bovier Fontenelle, French scientist and writer (Plurality of Worlds); Marie-Joseph de Chénier, French poet (Caïus Gracchus); Lydia Maria Child, American author, journalist and abolitionist (Juvenile Miscellany); Otto Ludwig, German writer and critic; Hermann Allmers, German poet (Feldeinsamkeit); Rachilde [Marguerite Vallette-Eymery], French author (Monsieur Venus); Else Lasker-Schüler, German writer; Elsa Beskow, Swedish children’s author and illustrator (Tale of the Little Little Old Woman); John van Melle, South African writer (Bart Nel); Beb Vuyk, Dutch-Indonesian writer (Camp Diary); E. W. Swanton, English author and sports commentator (cricket – BBC Radio); Sutan Takdir Alishahbana, Indonesian linguist and writer (Poedjangga Baroe); Roy Fuller, English poet and novelist (Lost Season); Patrick Leigh Fermor, English soldier and travel writer (A Time of Gifts); Sidney Sheldon, American novelist and playwright (Master of the Game, Bloodline, The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer); Daniel F. Galouye, American sci-fi author (Dark Universe, Last Leap); Larry Merchant, American boxing author and analyst (International Boxing Hall of Fame; HBO, Showtime); Jerome Lowenthal, American concert pianist, and educator (Julliard; Jerusalem Academy of Music); Lodewijk Boer, Dutch violist, librettist, actor, and playwright (The Family); Jane Yolen, American sci-fi and children’s literature author and poet (Spider Jane; Heart’s Blood); Susan Bernard, American author, actress (Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!) Playboy playmate (Dec, 1966); Wesley Strick, American screenwriter; Mo Willems, American author and screenwriter (Sesame Street); and Julio Torres, Salvadoran writer and comedian (Saturday Night Live, Los Espookys).
Any names familiar to you? There was one for me this time: Sidney Sheldon. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Work In Progress
As I previously mentioned, I penned chapters 22-30 of Mission: Yemen, Xavier Sear Thriller Book 2 during the Xmas market. I’m slowly typing up and posted them to the two online subscription writing sites I use. Other things got in the way so I didn’t finish typing and posting chapter twenty-seven as I had planned.
Reviewers provided another six critiques, bringing the total to 505. As always, they’ve provided plenty of recommendations for me to consider, and I’m always appreciative of the time and effort people put into reviewing my work.
Here’s another snippet:
Prince Hussein sat behind the desk and pulled out an iPad from a drawer. After logging in, he checked for new emails. There was one:
Hello, brother! I will be with you in two days. I hope you are planning a good party for me.
Prince Hussein grimaced as he typed. I hope so, too. But you better start following the plan.
Someone knocked on the door.
Now what? “Come in.”
Yusuf entered. “Excuse me, Prince Hussein. I wanted to give you an update on the attendees for Prince Sami’s party.”
“Hmm.” Prince Hussein frowned. “Go ahead.”
“Many of those in the diplomatic community are afraid to attend because of your connection to the Saudi royal family. They believe their attendance will indicate approval of what Saudi Arabia is doing in Yemen.”
“As expected. Continue.”
“China, Pakistan, and Malaysia have all accepted the invitation. I expect to hear from Russia and some others soon.”
Prince Hussein nodded. “What about local dignitaries?”
“So far, only the chief of police has accepted. But I’m still waiting for word from some of the cabinet. Of course, the prime minister declined, as expected.”
“What about the entertainment?”
Yusuf grinned. “Wazir and I have secured several young people who will perform as required.”
“That should please Prince Sami.” Wish he’d get over his predilection for public orgies. “Do what is necessary to give him a pleasing show—but not too graphic.” He waved a hand in dismissal.
“As you so order, Prince Hussein.” Yusuf bowed and left the office. He walked along the corridor and joined Wazir. “Everything is going to plan. If we are fortunate, Prince Sami will be indebted to us and grant us the favor we desire.”
Wazir nodded. “To be free of the tragedies befalling Yemen would be most pleasing. However, do you think things would be better for us in Saudi Arabia?”
“No way to know for sure. But if Ansar Allah finds out we are helping Prince Hussein, they will execute us after we are flogged to within an inch of our lives.” Yusuf’s body shook. “Then our bodies will be paraded through the streets as a warning to others.”
More next time.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please send me a note. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
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